The Pence Is Mightier: The Right To Discriminate Against Your Own Economy

In which we discover that Indiana would rather discriminate than welcome you.

Once again, the shebeen misses the late, great J. Doghouse Riley, who kept an eye on Indiana politics so the rest of us didn't have to. He was particularly fond of Mike Pence, the current governor, who now has brilliantly submarined his own tourist economy.

"Today I signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, because I support the freedom of religion for every Hoosier of every faith," he said in a statement. "The Constitution of the United States and the Indiana Constitution both provide strong recognition of the freedom of religion but today, many people of faith feel their religious liberty is under attack by government action." He cited as an example the University of Notre Dame's objection to a provision of the Affordable Care Act requiring insurance coverage for contraceptives. The measure, Senate Bill 101, could allow business owners to refuse services to same-sex couples and has set off a firestorm of controversy. Supporters say it's needed to protect those with strong religious beliefs from government overreach, but opponents say it would allow discrimination, particularly against gays and lesbians.

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We should allow discrimination based on what "many people" feel. Lovely. Pence also courageously signed the law in a "private" ceremony, and then courageously refused to say whether or not gay and lesbian citizens were a protected class, under which they would be the beneficiaries of the anti-discrimination statutes that would otherwise exclude them. This was particularly courageous because, if the answer is yes, then the law Pence signed is unconstitutional on its face, and if the answer is no, then he might have to explain why,and that wouldn't play well nationally, would it?

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What is certain is that the law already has cost Indiana a massive Gamer convention and the annual national meeting of the Disciples Of Christ. What also is certain is that Indianapolis next week will play host to one of the biggest sporting events on the calendar. I don't expect miracles, and it's far too late to move the event itself, but it sure would be nice to see some rainbow badges in the stands next week.